The Swap

Colin stood beside the road which ran paralell to his property and was being eaten alive by hungry mosquitoes. He took the time to soak in the beauty of nature which surrounded him and watched as the Summer Solstice sun faded behind the distant Blue Ridge Mountains.

He leaned against the small chicken house and looked at the small TV that sat on top. A growing number of fire ants ascended the screen.

Maybe they'll eat the bitch alive, he thought to himself.

Earlier he'd gotten a phone call from Tess, his ex-wife, who wanted her television back. She'd promised to bring his, larger, set with her and it would be a simple swap. He wanted to meet her at the fence because he honestly didn't want her to set foot on his property. His television was heavy as Hell but he'd brought a wheelbarrow along to solve that minor issue.

At last, headlights peaked the hill and the tell-tale sound of her engine signaled her arrival.

It was just a little after 9 pm and not quite dark enough to be pitch black. As usual, she was late. He'd always told her that she'd be late for her own goddamned funeral; which wasn't far off.

The driver's side door opened and a tall, slender man stepped out. Colin immediately recognised the man as the father of his nephew.

"Hey, Paul. How have you been?" Colin said, extending his hand.

"Tired as shit but good overall." he replied.

Colin craned his neck to see his property in the backseat. It was filthy and scratched.

"You gonna help him unload it or just stand there like a fucking fool all night!" Tess bellowed.

"I see her mood's improved some," Colin quipped.

"Man, I don't see how you put up with that for so long."

"So what are you doing hauling her around?"

Paul turned his head; intentionally avoiding Colin's gaze. "Ehh, she called and asked if I'd help her out. Sucker's pretty heavy, ain't it?"

"Yeah it is"

"C'mon, let's go!" belched Tess with more fury.

Colin could feel the old rage building in his veins and his blood began to boil. He wanted nothing more than to reach down her throat and tear out her vocal chords; the same ones that had screamed and belittled him for so long. He held his cool and let the growing darkness hide his smirk.

Paul turned and fought the TV out of the tight backseat. More than once, it had slipped and nearly came crashing down on the gravel.

While Paul wrangled the large item as Colin trotted toward the car with the minute television/DVD player combo. It was light and he placed it in the seat with ease.

"Okay I think we're good," Paul chimed.

Colin turned, grabbed the wheelbarrow and walked away without uttering another word. His smile grew as he moved. They hadn't noticed the small hole in the side; nor did they have any idea that there were several vibrant rattlesnakes inside the gutted appliance with their rattles removed. Only a couple of strips of clear tape held them inside and it would be only a matter of minutes before they made their way out.

*****

The next day, a newspaper article, complete with pictures, gave what few details were known about a "mysterious accident" along Highway 64. A man and woman were involved in a crash and had suffered what seemed to be snake bites.

Colin would've laughed had he seen the article. He would've been thrilled to the very core. Instead, Colin was face down on the floor of his living room, pale, cold and lifeless. The television had tumbled to the floor and cracked in several places. On the plug, next to the outlet was a small, black needle; tipped with a highly potent poison.